Immune dysfunction in cirrhosis

Core Tip

Core tip: Innate and adaptive immune dysfunction, also referred to as cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction syndrome, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis in both acute and chronic disease progression. During progression, acute decompensation is associated with organ failure(s), the so-called acute-on chronic liver failure, and chronic decompensation with progression of liver fibrosis and development of disease specific complications comprise distinct clinical entities with different immunopathology mechanisms. Enhanced bacterial translocation associated with systemic endotoxemia and systemic bacterial infections have substantial impacts in both clinical situations. In this review the authors provide overview of immune dysfunction and its consequences in cirrhosis.